Suture Wrap Cerclage for Fractured Bone Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone cerclages, typically made of wire or fabric, may not provide sufficient stability and ease of use for wrapping around fractured bones, particularly in femoral fractures, which can complicate the healing process.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a folded suture that is wrapped around a bone multiple times, secured with a sliding knot or knotless anchor, and tensioned using a suture passer and tensioner, providing a secure cerclage without the need for metallic implants or structural changes to the bone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single wrap of cable or fabric is used around the bone, then the application process is simple, but the stability and holding strength are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication simplicityVSAvoidcerclage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple wraps of the cerclage material around the bone, creating overlapping layers that work together to provide enhanced stability and holding strength while maintaining a relatively simple application process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimensional wrap to a multi-dimensional layered structure by wrapping the material multiple times around the bone, creating overlapping layers that distribute forces and improve overall stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If traditional cerclage materials like cable or fabric are used, then the structural strength is adequate, but the ease of wrapping and securing is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecerclage holding strengthVSAvoidease of wrapping

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by using suture material with specific properties (flexibility, tensile strength) that differ from traditional cable or fabric, allowing for easier manipulation and wrapping while maintaining adequate holding strength through proper material selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If metallic implants or bone structural changes are used to secure the cerclage, then the stability is improved, but the surgical complexity and risk to adjacent tissues increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecerclage stabilityVSAvoidsurgical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes metallic implants and bone structural modifications from the procedure by using a pure soft-tissue suture-based approach, extracting the need for invasive hardware while maintaining cerclage stability through multiple wraps and proper knotting techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The suture material and wrapping technique itself provides the stabilization function without requiring additional metallic implants or bone modifications, allowing the cerclage to secure itself through the friction and tension of multiple wraps around the bone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10143506B2Method and system for providing a suture wrap cerclage

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 ARTHREX INC

AI summary

A method for providing a fractured bone with a bone cerclage according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, wrapping a folded piece of suture around a bone at least once, and securing the suture to the bone.